ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Kyle Larson wins at Gateway after 18 cautions turn the NASCAR Cup race into a survival test. His 51-race winless streak is over—and the Chase fight heads to Bristol with Larson nine points behind Denny Hamlin.
Chase Holden and NASCAR driver Garrett Smithley are back for RACESPACE Episode 26, breaking down the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway: Larson’s four-tire call, Joey Logano’s speed, Alex Bowman’s emotional runner-up finish, and the brake failures that disrupted the championship battle. Was this old-school NASCAR at its best, or did the chaos go too far?
The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series delivered its own drama: Jesse Love’s first win of 2026, Sheldon Creed taking the points lead, a major pit-road pileup, and another clash between Corey Day and William Sawalich that also affected Justin Allgaier.
Garrett brings the view from the pit box—not the driver’s seat this weekend—as Myatt Snider races the No. 0 SS-GreenLight Racing / BRK Racing Chevrolet to a lead-lap P25. Hear Garrett’s account of the brake-balance issues, what the team learned, and why he is looking for redemption when he returns to the car at Bristol.
We also discuss Brennan Poole’s Spire Motorsports Truck Series opportunity at Kansas, new partners for the No. 0, and a little NFL Sunday and fantasy-football talk.
Recording update — September 15, 2026: NASCAR issued no penalty for the Sawalich/Day Gateway incident. Zane Smith’s September 14 update said he was doing well and ready for Bristol. Those developments update the uncertainty discussed during recording.
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